year NFL veteran but as Denvers third-year quarterback. "I

The negativity, anger and frustration leaped off the pages. The mood following the weekends matches was dictated by the headlines that screamed loudly at the reader before the article was even perused. Ronaldo hits out at the ref. Wenger puzzled by the decision. Inside the stories told a much deeper story. "Maybe they dont want Real Madrid to win this Liga," said Ronaldo after his side lost 4-3 to Barcelona in Sundays El Clasico. Just what we need, another accusation that a referee wanted a team to win over another. It was supposed to be a weekend where two of the elite games of the European football calendar could be digested, enjoyed in a way that entertainment is supposed to be sampled. Chelsea were sensational against a hapless, under-prepared Arsenal and Barcelona were just a little bit better than a fantastic Real Madrid in a game played at a breathtaking pace. There were so many storylines to get into, or so you would think. Instead many of the headlines were about a man who didnt even play. The game is officially out of control. Andre Marriners incorrect decision to send off Kieran Gibbs instead of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was unfortunate but shouldnt be surprising given the amount of players who crowded around him the moment a penalty kick was given. El Clasico referee Alberto Undiano Malenco, who made a number of big decisions including a sending off and the awarding of three penalty kicks, was also asked to make split second decisions with players in his face. Many of those players were the greatest in the world but are also the greatest at playacting and conning officials to get one over on the other team, yet when things do not go their way they want to know why the official got it wrong. Except he may not be wrong at all. If he is guilty of something, he is guilty of seeing something different to the accuser. Sometimes, like Marriner at Stamford Bridge, (for the second time this season I might add) he is very wrong and then the real people who lose out are those who follow the game so closely. The greatest thing, for me, about the supposed beautiful game has always been how much emphasis is given on what happens on the field between the players. Go to any pub close to a football ground and listen to the conversations about their favourite team. So often, these fans are not blinded towards their own players. Instead, they are as educated as the people sitting in the press box being paid to cover the sport. They talk about tactics, position switches and refer to their encyclopedic mind when referring to past games. They do not talk about a sport they love by referencing point spreads or how many fantasy points they got that week. Yes, gambling and fantasy sports play a part in their fandom but it is not at the top of their list of priorities like it is fans of other sports. There is so much that happens for them to analyze during 90 minutes that they can, and do, talk about the game for a week until they watch another one. This is what should be happening after Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 and Real Madrid 3 Barcelona 4. It will be hard to find any games played at such a high level (by three of the four teams anyway) this year than those. And, yes, I am aware it is a World Cup year. Some of the skill on display in those games was absolutely absorbing as was the pace and tempo. Yet, while we watch such brilliance no thought is given to the referee in the middle of it all until we expect him to make a split second correct decision to ensure fairness. It is an utterly irrational expectation. Here is a game played by 22 of the most exceptional athletes in sport, throw in a rivalry, later in the season, add tempo and speed alongside theatrics and plain old fashion cheating (lets call it what it is) and then place one man, usually much older than most of the players, who is expected to supervise all of them and ensure they stick to the rules by making immediate decisions. Its a process that would be laughed at if the sport were to be created today with rule makers demanded he gets more help. Its a small four letter word that would solve many problems at all levels. Lets help the officials. Lets start on game-defining moments. For as much as we all love the game it is clear that a match, more often than not, only has a handful of these from start to finish. Goals, penalty kick decisions and red cards. No sport can look to get every decision right but the fact that the major game-defining ones are still not getting solved while the game is happening is laughable. Why should a fan or a player leave the game knowing (not thinking) his team were wrongly punished for a significant game-defining moment? A goal, a penalty kick decision and a red card all come at the stoppage of the game on the whistle. At this time, one simple rule needs to be implemented. "No player can approach the referee at this time allowing him time to run to his assistants and communicate with the fourth official if he thinks he needs help to make an absolute decision." This doesnt require technology or long pauses. It simply gives officials time to ensure they get a clear game-defining decision correct without having a bunch of petulant players all throwing their toys out of their pram in front of his face. Think back to the last time you made a massive decision in your workplace. Were you asked to make it in less than a second with people pointing and shouting in your face? Of course not, because it is ridiculous. So why does soccer allow it? It is not a thing exclusive to sport where emotion and competitiveness can be quoted as an excuse for some of the disgusting behavior on show. Many other sports do not tolerate such abuse towards officials and allow them time to express themselves and get things right. Look at rugby union where captains only are allowed to talk with the referee and where all game-defining decisions (tries, sendings off, etc) can be reviewed between officials. Not every goal needs to be looked at this way but the sport desperately needs this to be an option to give officials time and stop players from constantly affecting their decision-making with abuse. Until that happens stories will continue to flood our newspapers and favorite internet sites about poor refereeing because the petulant babies got in front of a microphone after the match to moan some more. Just make sure you dont feel sorry for any of them. They have created the mess and now have to play a massive part in cleaning it up. Manny Machado Padres Jersey . Toronto announced the deal with the restricted free agent on Saturday. The terms were not disclosed. Wil Myers Jersey .Heres Ralph the Dog with the crew here at TSN jumping into the James Duthie TradeCentre selfie: Happy to drop by! RT @TSN_Sports: @tsnjamesduthie: Take this Ellen. http://www.padressale.com/padres-greg-garcia-jersey/ . Fans can also watch the game on the newly launched TSN GO (currently available to Bell TV and Rogers customers), which gives TSN subscribers the freedom to live stream the networks programming from their smartphones, tablets, and computers at no additional charge – just as they would watch Canadas Sports Leader on TV at home. The following week, MLS ON TSN is at BMO Field in Toronto to deliver live coverage of TFCs home opener vs. D.C. United on Saturday, March 22 at 4:30 p. Aaron Loup Jersey .com) - Even on the day his New Hampshire football team became the nations top-ranked team two weeks ago, coach Sean McDonnell conceded something about the team they replaced at No. Dave Winfield Jersey . Fielder has been out with a herniated disk in his neck, and surgery was recommended after a follow-up exam and another scan Thursday with Dr. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Peyton Manning flew to New York this spring to pay his respects to Derek Jeter and David Letterman, two much-admired superstars in the middle of their long goodbyes. "Im sad to see some of these guys retiring," the Broncos quarterback said at the time. "Im not far behind." Yet retirement really isnt on Mannings radar as he prepares for his 17th NFL season, his third in Denver. Coming off the best two-year stretch of his career, Manning is keeping tacklers, tedium and time itself at bay. At 38, Manning said hell keep playing as long as hes still productive and loves the game. That passion and productivity were on full display last season when he won his fifth MVP award and set single-season records by passing for 55 touchdowns and more than 5,500 yards. There are no signs of his affection or efficiency ebbing anytime soon, either. "You see it in how he prepares every day," centre Manny Ramirez said. "Were here in the off-season and hes still putting the same amount of focus as he does in-season, preparing, trying to get better every day, trying to pick apart the defences." "I still enjoy the work and preparation," said Manning, who lost wide receiver Eric Decker to the Jets but gained coveted free agent Emmanuel Sanders and prized rookie Cody Latimer. That turnover actually helps keep Manning young at heart, coach John Fox suggested. "Theres so much change in the NFL nowadays that I think that keeps the juices flowing, whether thats getting Emmanuel Sanders up to speed or last year, Wes Welker. Anytime you put a new cog in there, thats an adjustment," Fox said. "I think he takes pride in that and he attacks that. He seems to me to be having a great time." Manning would like to play out his contract, which runs through 2016. Yet, while hes not pondering retirement, he said in an interview with The Associated Press that he has certainly contemplated what it will be like. "Sometimes I sort of kick back and I pause and I think what sorts of things would I miss the most if I wasnt playing," Manning said. The answer hits him like one of those teeth-rattling sacks by Robert Mathis. "Being in the huddle," Manning said. "Thats what I missed most when I was injured, Ill say that. I mean, theres no other type of unity or bond that I think any other job can provide. I know there are meetings, there are video conferences. But that huddle, because of where it takes place: its often on the road, in the middle of the field, in front of 80,000 people, its unique." Its what excites him even at an age when many quarterbacks have retired to the broadcast booth or are hitting thhe links instead of the weights.dddddddddddd "When you dont play football anymore, you can broadcast, you can coach, you can be in management, whatever, but you are not allowed to go into the huddle anymore," Manning said. "That huddle is just for players. You can go into the locker room after the game and you can speak to the team, but I think any retired player would probably tell you they miss the huddle." The way Manning has guided the Broncos to a 28-8 record over the last two years belies how far he had fallen when he was forced to sit out the 2011 season in Indianapolis and even had to look in a mirror to relearn his release point after a series of neck surgeries weakened his throwing arm to the point he could hardly grip, much less throw, a football. Mannings reboot has turned into a blessing. "Yeah, although I have to say, some guys might need a year off to whatever, relight to fire, whatever it may be. I didnt need a year off to remind me of how much I love football," Manning said. "But when you have it, it sure does reinforce what you kind of always thought, that I do love it." Working with play-caller Adam Gase and new teammates has revitalized Manning. "Sometimes it, the monotonous routine, the boredom, that pushes guys out, not the physical part of it," Manning said. "And I have been stimulated the past two years working with Adam and working with different teammates, so it does sort of keep the bounce in you, I think." Manning doesnt view himself so much as a 17-year NFL veteran but as Denvers third-year quarterback. "I really feel because its a new team, post-injury, its kind of a new me. Thats how I have to look at it," Manning said. "Im a different player from before I was injured. Im not saying better, worse, whatever, just a different player. And so what I can compare myself most accurately to is my first season here in Denver and kind of how I am physically and how I am with my teammates and with Adam and so its helped to have now two years to build off that baseline." He no longer feels like a visitor in his own locker room. "And I like going into that huddle," Manning said. "I like the guys that I get to work with. I like lifting weights, working with Wes Welker, doing a set of bench press with Jacob Tamme, I like working with the guys that I play with and I still like learning. I like being challenged by Adam every day to be a better football player. There are a lot of things that I still enjoy about it. "And I look forward to driving over here every day. I think as soon as you go, Golly, I do not want to go over there today, thats when youve got to get out." ' ' '